International Programs

FinCEN works to establish and strengthen mechanisms for the exchange of information globally, and to engage, encourage, and support international partners in taking necessary steps to construct regimes to combat money laundering, terrorist financing, and other financial crimes. FinCEN responds to requests from financial intelligence units (FIUs) that are members of the Egmont Group, and acts as a conduit for requests from domestic law enforcement to foreign FIUs. FinCEN also issues strategic products for law enforcement agencies and FIUs on topics of international interest.

FinCEN works with foreign governments to provide policy recommendations and guidance, analytical training, technological advice, and staff support in order to foster the implementation of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CFT) regimes worldwide. FinCEN supports U.S. bilateral and multilateral efforts to join with other nations in a concerted fashion to combat transnational crime.

International Engagements and Liaison Activity

FinCEN engages with foreign FIUs and other counterparts on analytical, regulatory, and operational issues in order to strengthen information sharing mechanisms and increase international collaboration. FinCEN hosts foreign delegations to discuss issues of mutual interest. Several of these visits occur as part of the Department of Stateís International Visitor Leadership Program. FinCEN supports the U.S. delegation to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in its efforts to revise international standards concerning FIUs and international cooperation. FinCEN staff members serve on U.S. interagency delegations to the meetings of the eight FATF-style regional bodies (FSRBs), providing expertise on FIU-related issues.

International Information Exchange and Analysis

As the nationís FIU, FinCEN is part of a worldwide network of agencies designed to exchange financial intelligence derived largely from financial industry reporting. FinCEN makes requests for information on behalf of Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies. At the same time, FinCEN responds to requests for research from counterpart FIUs in other jurisdictions around the world. In addition, FinCEN and other FIUs send and receive spontaneous disclosures of information based on proactive internal analysis.

FinCEN is one of the most active FIUs in the world in terms of exchanging information with counterpart FIUs. The demand for FinCENís services from foreign FIUs has expanded dramatically over the past decade.

In addition to supporting foreign FIUs, FinCEN also obtains information from foreign FIUs to support investigations by U.S. law enforcement and regulatory agencies. FinCEN works with its counterparts to obtain information relevant to these requests, often working with multiple FIUs on a given request. FinCEN has experienced an increase in outgoing requests in support of U.S. law enforcement investigations, which reflects FinCENís efforts to encourage criminal investigator and prosecutors to more actively use this unique service. FinCEN continues its efforts in the area of strategic analysis on international topics, with a particular emphasis on joint work with other FIUs.

Combating Transnational Organized Crime

FinCEN recognizes that financial crime is a global phenomenon transcending geographic borders. Partnerships with other nations and international bodies are essential in the detection of criminal proceeds. FinCEN plays a significant role in the U.S. Governmentís efforts to combat transnational organized crime. FinCEN carries out its mission by providing investigative support to law enforcement, intelligence, and regulatory agencies, cooperating globally with counterpart FIUs, and using its regulatory authorities to make it more difficult for organized criminal groups to move money through the financial system. FinCEN exercises its authority under Section 311 of the USA PATRIOT Act, which allows for the imposition of special measures for jurisdictions, financial institutions, or international transactions of primary money laundering concern. FinCEN supports the detection and deterrence of transnational organized crime by providing products and services to law enforcement agencies, the intelligence community, foreign FIUs, and other authorities.